Device for producing processed cheese portions

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for producing processed cheese portions, comprising a plurality of modules that are arranged successively in the direction of production, in which the processed cheese is formed into a band, cooled, and divided into portions, wherein the modules define a production space through which the processed cheese travels during the production of the processed cheese portions. The production space is enclosed by a spray-proof casing, wherein the casing comprises a frame structure and a plurality of sheet metal elements which are detachably connected to the frame structure, and wherein a sealing hose is arranged between a sheet metal element and the area of the frame structure opposite thereto, and encircles the sheet metal element or the area of the frame structure opposite thereto.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/818,943, which is the US national phase of international applicationno. PCT/EP2011/62494 filed on Jul. 21, 2011, which claims priority fromGerman patent application no. 102010035522.4 filed on Aug. 25, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a device for producing processed cheeseportions, comprising a plurality of modules disposed successively in thedirection of production, in which the processed cheese is shaped into astrip, cooled and divided into portions, wherein the modules define aproduction space through which the processed cheese passes duringproduction of the processed cheese portions.

Description of the Related Art

In the production of a foodstuff, constant care must be taken to preventcontamination of the product as it passes through the production system.Foodstuffs that have come in contact with germs or grime are a risk tothe manufacturer that cannot be underestimated. These foodstuffs spoilbefore expiration of the intended shelf life and must be removed fromcommerce; in addition, they can cause health problems for the consumerif consumed unawares.

Therefore, the production system must be absolutely germ-free in orderto produce a hygienically flawless foodstuff. By necessity, productionmust be interrupted regularly in order to restore the production systemto a germ-free state. Valuable production time is lost to cleaning,which is somewhat complicated, particularly when individual componentsof the system must be removed for this purpose.

In order to minimize the introduction of grime, the production systemshould be installed in a production space that is as hygienicallyflawless as possible. In order to perform production in a manner that istruly bacteriologically safe, the system itself must be cleaned and aclean-room environment is required. Therefore, the productionenvironment has a substantial influence on the frequency of the cleaningcycles. The requirement to maintain entire rooms germ-free is verydifficult to implement. This limits the usability of large and openproduction systems that are known from the production of processedcheese.

The amount of cleaning effort required can be reduced by keeping thesystem parts that must remain germ-free separate from the rest of theproduction hall or the system. For example, so-called aseptic fillingmachines are used in automated beverage bottling. An aseptic fillingmachine is the actual filling area, which is separated from the rest ofthe filling system via an enclosure. The enclosure defines an enclosedproduction space in the immediate vicinity of the filling area, which isseparated from the rest of the system. The production space encloses andprotects the filling area, and the desired germ-free state is attainedvia regular cleaning of the outer and inner surfaces thereof.

The effort required to maintain the germ-free state of a productionspace enclosed in this manner is substantially less compared to that ofa filling area that is left open. The cleaning of a production spaceenclosed in that manner can be carried out, for example, viacleaning-in-place (CIP) using cleaning systems fixedly installed in theenclosure.

Such enclosures are not used in the production of processed cheeseportions. The main reason therefor is that a plurality of working stepsis required to process processed cheese, all of which require ahygienically flawless environment. The production systems that are usedare also substantially larger and have a highly complicated design as anarrowly limited, easily protected filling area for beverage bottles.Instead of flowing through closed and easily cleaned pipelines, theprocessed cheese to be processed is guided openly across long distanceswhile the strand is formed. In so doing, the processed cheese mass comesinto contact, via large areas, with the rollers and belts of the system.In order to ensure a flawless hygienic quality of the processed cheesethat is produced, a sub-region of the system as well as the entireproduction strand would have to be enclosed.

Moreover, the production of processed cheese portions requires repeatedintervention by operating personnel. Therefore, the system must alwaysbe accessible. In addition, an enclosure should be designed such thatcleaning and rinsing agents sprayed in the production space during a CIPare prevented from spraying out of there. However, a sealed enclosureintended for ensuring the germ-free state is not easily opened, nor doessaid enclosure allow direct access to all the relevant system parts.

The problem addressed by the present application is therefore that ofsimplifying the production of hygienically flawless processed cheeseportions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This problems is solved by a device having the features of claim 1.Advantageous embodiments are referred to in the dependent claims. Afundamental idea of the invention is to enclose the production spacewith a spray-proof encapsulation, wherein the encapsulation comprises aframe structure and a plurality of sheet metal elements, which aredetachably connected to the frame structure, and wherein a sealing tubeis disposed between a sheet metal element and the region of the framestructure opposite thereto and encircles the sheet metal element or theregion of the frame structure opposite thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the device according to the invention are explained,as examples, by reference to the following figures. Shown are

FIG. 1 shows a top view of two sheet metal elements mounted on the framestructure;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional drawing along the line A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional drawing through the region of FIG. 1 labelled“B”; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an exemplary embodiment of an air treatment systemaccording to the example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The encircling sealing tube is disposed such that, when the sheet metalelement is closed, said sealing tube is pressed between the framestructure and the sheet metal element via application of external force.The hollow sealing tube deforms elastically, and therefore the gapbetween the sheet metal element and the frame structure remainscompletely closed even under unfavorable conditions, such as theoccurrence of vibrations during operation, for example. The productionsystem enclosed in this manner is therefore securely protected againstthe introduction of grime or bacterial contamination from the outside.

The encircling sealing tube is flexible enough to compensate forpotential manufacturing tolerances of the frame structure. Therefore,the frame structure that is provided is not subject to any specialrequirements, but rather can be assembled from standardized profileshaving low tolerances, which are easy to manufacture and assemble. Thestandardization also makes it easy to adapt the encapsulation todifferent types of such production systems.

Due to the sheet metal elements that are detachably connected to theframe structure, the individual system elements are easy to access, butthe sheet metal element to be opened for this purpose can always betightly reclosed. Every time the sheet metal elements are closed, thesealing tube is elastically deformed once more and the sealing effect ofthe tubular seal is restored. The encircling tubular seal provides ahigh degree of sealing, and therefore the production space is reliablysealed. Additional sealing elements can be omitted. The encapsulationaccording to the invention therefore fulfills all the hygienicrequirements for a germ-free production space. Moreover, the encirclingtubular seal, due to the uncomplicated design and installation thereof,allows for simple inspection and cleaning of the seal and for easyreplacement thereof.

In particular, the encircling sealing tube is designed as one piece,thereby reducing the seams, which impair the seal integrity. The seamsopen, in particular, during a temperature-induced expansion of theencapsulation. Depending on the type of processed cheese, the processedcheese mass is heated before shaping to temperatures that clearly exceed60° Celsius. The tubular seal formed as one piece improves thefunctional reliability of the seal across a large temperature range.

In order to permit viewing of individual system parts, the sheet metalelements can also be equipped with an installed observation window. Thisallows for high transparency even when the encapsulation is closed and,therefore, allows for constant visual inspection of the system and thefunctions thereof during operation.

Preferably, the sealing tube encircling the sheet metal element or theregion of the frame structure opposite thereto is designed in the mannerof a labyrinth seal. This sealing tube comprises, on the surfacethereof, a plurality of longitudinally extending sealing lips orlamellas, which, when the sheet metal element is closed, bearindividually against the pressed-on contact surface and each impart asealing effect. In particular, a fluid located on the tubular seal inthe horizontally extending part of the circumferential region iseffectively held back. The thusly designed sealing tube also withstandsCIP-cleaning carried out at high pressures, even if a jet of cleaning orrinsing agent strikes the seal directly while the system is beingsprayed. Therefore, the production system enclosed according to theinvention permits the production space to be cleaned easily and quickly,and there is no need to remove components of the system. In addition,fluids spraying out of the encapsulation, which causes contamination ofthe exterior environment, is effectively prevented.

In a further preferred embodiment, the sheet metal element comprisesexternal bent edges, wherein the bent edges form a receptacle for thesealing tube. If the sheet metal elements themselves form the receptaclefor the sealing tube, sheet metal elements of any shape and size can beused without the need to make changes to the sealing receptacle. Thebent edge extending on the edges of the sheet metal element forms areceptacle that is precisely matched to the dimensions of the particularsheet metal element. Therefore, the sheet metal element always forms itsown sealing receptacle. The step of separately adapting the sealingreceptacle if the shape of the sheet metal element is changed iseliminated. In addition, the external bent edges stabilize and stiffenthe sheet metal elements.

Preferably, a sheet metal element is swivelably held on the framestructure, and the parts of the frame structure opposite the sheet metalelement that is swivelably held on the frame structure comprise acircumferential web, which forms a receptacle for the sealing tube. Asheet metal element that is swivelably mounted on the frame structure isparticularly easy to open and allows rapid access to the system partslocated behind it. The sheet metal element, which is swiveled to beopened, is held further from the frame structure and, once work has beencompleted, can be closed simply by being swiveled back. The sealing tubeis carried by a web that entirely encircles the parts of the framestructure opposite the sheet metal element. The sealing tube, which hasbeen inserted on the web, in particular, therefore reliably seals theclosed sheet metal element.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the production space isconnected to an air treatment system, by way of which treated air can beintroduced into the production space. This embodiment makes it possibleto use the encapsulated production space largely independently of theair quality of the surrounding premises. The air treatment systemsupplies the encapsulated production area with a separate atmosphere, soto speak, which is oriented toward germ-free production. The effortrequired to keep entire production halls germ-free or nearly germ-freeis eliminated. Advantageously, a slight overpressure is generated in theinterior of the encapsulation, thereby preventing air from entering theproduction space from the outside.

Preferably, the air treatment system comprises a module for filteringand/or drying and/or cooling the air introduced into the productionspace. The corresponding modules make it possible to create a climatewithin the production space that is optimal for processed cheeseproduction. A module for clean room filtering reduces the germ count ofthe air introduced into the production space. Cooling and/or drying theair prevents condensation water from forming in the production space andsuppresses the reproduction rate of any germs that may be present.

In a further preferred embodiment, the air intake of the air treatmentsystem is connected to the production space such that the air flowingthrough the production space is conducted in a closed circuit.Therefore, the treated air is circulated. Reusing the air in this mannerreduces the amount of energy required for the treatment.

Preferably, the air treatment system is integrated into theencapsulation of the production space. In this case, a separateencapsulation of the air treatment system is eliminated, therebysimplifying the design of the production system. The integration alsoallows the air treatment system to be integrated into the CIP.Therefore, CIP cleaning of the system comprises all the components thatare essential to maintain a germ-free state of the production space.

FIG. 1 shows a part of a frame structure having two vertical supports 1,2, which are oriented parallel to one another and have an openingtherebetween having vertical boundaries C and D, respectively, defininga width W of the opening. The two supports 1, 2 are held by a horizontalbase support 3 of the frame structure. Two sheet metal elements 4, 5,having faces 4A and 5A, respectively, which are mounted on the supports1, 2 and support 1, respectively, are disposed between the supports 1,2. Both sheet metal elements comprise a central observation window 6,which permits inspection of the production system located behind saidobservation window without the need to open the encapsulation. The sheetmetal element 4 is detachably connected to the supports 1, 2. Four pins7 routed into the supports 1, 2, namely two per support, hold the sheetmetal element 4 on the frame structure. A tubular seal held in outerbent edges of the sheet metal element is elastically deformed betweenthe sheet metal element 4 and the frame structure. The tubular seal islocated on the two supports 1 and 2, and on a support that connects saidsupports, if present. The circumferential tubular seal seals the sheetmetal element 4 completely with respect to the frame structure.

The sheet metal element 5 is swivelably mounted on the support 1 and, inthe closed state, is sealed with respect to the supports 1 and 2 and atransversely oriented support 9, which connects said supports. In theview shown in FIG. 1, the transversely oriented support 9 is hidden bythe sheet metal element 5. Two locks 8, which can be locked on thesupport 2, hold the swivelable sheet metal element 5 in the closedposition thereof. The sealing of the sheet metal element 5 is explainedin greater detail in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional drawing along the line A-A of FIG. 1. The sheetmetal element 5, which is held by a non-illustrated hinge and whichcomprises an observation window 6, is shown in FIG. 2 in an angled, i.e.slightly opened position. The supports 1, 2 of the frame structure havea hollow profile and are adapted to support a web 10 for supporting ahollow tubular seal 11 for sealing the swivelably mounted sheet metalelement 5. A hollow tubular seal 11 is slid onto the web 10. The webcontinues on the transversely oriented support 9, which is not shownhere, and therefore said web completely encircles the opening of theframe structure formed between the supports on the inner side of theframe structure. If the sheet metal element 5 is swiveled toward theframe structure, the sealing tube 11 is elastically deformed between theweb 10 and the outer edge of the sheet metal element 5 and completelyseals the gap between the frame structure and face 5A of the sheet metalelement 5. External bent edges 12 facing away from the frame structurestabilize the sheet metal element and ensure uniform contact pressure ofthe sheet metal element against the sealing tube 11.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional drawing through the region of FIG. 1 labelled“B”. A hollow tubular seal 13 bears against the hollow support 1. Thesheet metal element 4 has an angled bent edge 15 on the outer edgethereof having a face 4A, which forms a seal receptacle 16 for thesealing tube 13 encircling the sheet metal element 4. If a transverselyextending support 9 is not provided between the successive sheet metalelements 4 and 5, as shown in FIG. 1, the swivelably mounted sheet metalelement 5 overlaps the detachably fastened sheet metal element 4. In theregion of overlap, the two sheet metal elements form a fold, whichextends underneath both said sheet metal elements. The metal webs, whichare designed in the manner of a labyrinth seal, prevent fluid fromescaping from the enclosure, and so an additional seal can be omitted.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an air treatment system 17 having inflowing 18 andoutflowing 19 air conduction. The enclosed air treatment system 17comprises a plurality of modules, in which the air conductedtherethrough is dried and held at a steady temperature, and comprises acollecting device for condensation water that is discharged.

1. A device for producing processed cheese portions, comprising aplurality of modules disposed successively in the direction ofproduction, in which the processed cheese is formed into a strip, cooledand divided into portions, wherein the modules define a production spacethrough which the processed cheese passes during production of theprocessed cheese portions, wherein a spray-proof encapsulation enclosesthe production space, wherein the encapsulation comprises a framestructure and a plurality of sheet metal elements, which are detachablyconnected to the frame structure, and wherein a sealing tube is disposedbetween a sheet metal element and the region of the frame structureopposite thereto and encircles the sheet metal element or the region ofthe frame structure opposite thereto.
 2. The device according to claim1, wherein the sealing tube encircling the sheet metal element or theregion of the frame structure opposite thereto is designed in the mannerof a labyrinth seal.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein a sheetmetal element comprises external bent edges, wherein the bent edges forma receptacle for the sealing tube.
 4. The device according to claim 1,wherein a sheet metal element is swivellably held on the framestructure, and wherein the parts of the frame structure opposite thesheet metal element that is swivellably held on the frame structurecomprise a circumferential web, which forms a receptacle for the sealingtube.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the production spaceis connected to an air treatment system, by way of which treated air canbe introduced into the production space.
 6. The device according toclaim 5, wherein the air treatment system comprises a module forfiltering and/or drying and/or cooling the air that is introduced intothe production space.
 7. The device according to claim 5, wherein theair intake of the air treatment system is connected to the productionspace such that the air flowing through the production space isconducted in a closed circuit.
 8. The device according to claim 5,wherein the air treatment system is integrated into the encapsulation ofthe production space.